Straugheir set for Eagles

Duane Straugheir is available for Sheffield Eagles as coach Mark Aston contemplates a number of changes for the Northern Rail Cup quarter-final with Hunslet Hawks following last week's 40-12 defeat at Leigh Centurions.

Aston said: "Some people let themselves down. We had talked about staying in the systems, but the lads didn't do that."

Hunslet Hawks' Richard Blakeway faces a head test on Thursday night after suffering slight concussion against Batley, but Hawks coach Barry Eaton has an otherwise unchanged squad from last week.

Eaton said: "Sheffield are right up there with the best teams outside Super League.

"They're one of the best points-scorers in the division, and that's going to test us because we've been lacking in confidence defensively. Our communication needs to be at its best to cope with what they'll throw at us."

Despite a poor run of form, Eaton has not given up hope of causing a major upset.

He said: "We're hoping we can get a good start and maybe get in front ourselves - that would give us a boost.

"We've been playing well in patches, but if you're loose against the quality of opposition we face for just 10 or 15 minutes it can really hurt you."